A GOLCAR swine flu victim is among those suffering thanks to a shortage of a key antiviral drug.

Paul Sheldon, 59, was diagnosed with the condition on Tuesday but has found that chemists across the town have had no access to stocks of Tamiflu.

The drug is the essential treatment for swine flu, which has seen a resurgence this winter.

Seventeen people have died, all of whom had underlying conditions or were in vulnerable groups.

Mr Sheldon says his doctors and GPs have been frustrated by the fact that there appears to be no stocks of Tamiflu in the north.

He said: “I’m not in a high risk group but when my GP from Fieldhead Surgery visited me on Tuesday he said it was swine flu, I needed this drug, and wrote out the prescription.

“It just feels like flu but maybe with more of a belly ache.

“I went to Milnsbridge Chemist who was very helpful. She made about 15 phone calls and eventually had to say ‘I just can’t get it’.

“The next morning I tried the Shaw’s chemist at Town End with the same result. It’s like no one actually knows where all the stocks have gone, and I still have no idea when I will get it.

“From the people I’ve spoken to, I’ve heard that when this came up the first time the Government took it upon themselves to dish out the Tamiflu rather than through the normal stockists and they sent it to the chemists.

“The epidemic wasn’t as bad as they thought and the chemists were left with lots of it and were asked to send it back.

“Now nobody seems to know where its gone and it’s very hard to get across the north.”

Mr Sheldon went to A+E at the Royal Infirmary but they were also unable to help.

He added: “I’m not one of the people worst affected but it’s a poor state of affairs.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Kirklees said: “Since the approval to use anti-virals for the treatment and prevention of influenza in high risk patients was announced on Friday, December 17, NHS Kirklees are aware that there have been difficulties with the national supply chain, and this has impacted locally, with very few community pharmacies having any stocks .

“We have raised this issue with the emergency preparedness team at the strategic health authority, NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, who have been in liaison with the Department of Health.

“NHS Kirklees have been assured by the manufacturer that stocks are being distributed to pharmaceutical wholesalers as a matter of urgency, and that there will be substantial stocks in wholesalers from Monday, December 20.

“NHS Kirklees have also been assured that a number of unscheduled deliveries are being made to local wholesalers today, but it is unlikely that stock will be available from this supply route in community pharmacies until Saturday / Monday.

“As a short term measure, NHS Kirklees have secured a small interim supply of Tamiflu 75mg capsules, which will be available from 6pm today. These supplies have been sourced by the NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, and will be strategically placed in eight pharmacies across Kirklees. These pharmacies have been selected as they are open seven days a week and cover extended hours. This is an interim solution in advance of wholesaler supplies being readily available in community pharmacies.”

THE details of the pharmacies where the interim supplies will be available will be posted on the NHS Kirklees website www.kirklees.nhs.uk.

Details of availability will also be communicated to the out-of-hours emergency doctors service (Local Care Direct), GP surgeries and to pharmacies.